EP1283393A2 - Mehrstromenergiequelle für Dampferzeugersystem - Google Patents

Mehrstromenergiequelle für Dampferzeugersystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1283393A2
EP1283393A2 EP02255259A EP02255259A EP1283393A2 EP 1283393 A2 EP1283393 A2 EP 1283393A2 EP 02255259 A EP02255259 A EP 02255259A EP 02255259 A EP02255259 A EP 02255259A EP 1283393 A2 EP1283393 A2 EP 1283393A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
working fluid
steam
steam generator
generator system
set forth
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02255259A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1283393A3 (de
Inventor
Billy E. Bingham
Stephen W. Scoles
Ronald C. Watson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BWX Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
BWX Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BWX Technologies Inc filed Critical BWX Technologies Inc
Publication of EP1283393A2 publication Critical patent/EP1283393A2/de
Publication of EP1283393A3 publication Critical patent/EP1283393A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F22—STEAM GENERATION
    • F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
    • F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
    • F22B1/02—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers
    • F22B1/18—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers the heat carrier being a hot gas, e.g. waste gas such as exhaust gas of internal-combustion engines
    • F22B1/1884—Hot gas heating tube boilers with one or more heating tubes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P80/00—Climate change mitigation technologies for sector-wide applications
    • Y02P80/10—Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
    • Y02P80/15—On-site combined power, heat or cool generation or distribution, e.g. combined heat and power [CHP] supply

Definitions

  • the invention itself relates generally to steam generators and more particularly to such steam generators using a plurality of energy sources to generate the steam therefrom.
  • the steam generators designed to date have used a single fluid stream from a process as the energy source for the steam generation.
  • separate steam generators either in parallel or series, have been used to generate the steam.
  • Such use of separate steam generators result in more individual components and complicated controls, which are consequently more complex and have more opportunities for flow induced instabilities.
  • thermo-mechanical pulping TMP
  • CMP chemi-mechanical pulping
  • TMP/CMP motors grind wood chips to a fine pulp at an output rate of more than 100 tons per day.
  • this mechanical energy is converted to thermal energy in the form of steam.
  • This steam is then passed through a tube containing the wood chips, prior to their entry into a primary refiner, to soften the chips and to facilitate in the refining operation.
  • Yet another example involves the processing of hyrdrocarbon-based fuels into a hydrogen rich gas for industrial uses, and particularly for use in fuel cells.
  • steam is produced using the energy from multiple process streams (i.e., hot exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack).
  • process streams i.e., hot exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,437,316 teaches method and apparatus for waste energy recovery through the use of a working fluid.
  • This working fluid derives heat energy from the waste energy typically exhausted from a facility upon completion of a manufacturing process step.
  • the energy of the working fluid is then utilized to develop steam at a temperature and pressure which make the steam extremely advantageous for use in the process.
  • Waste energy from two different locations in the mechanical process apparatus is utilized to increase the energy of the working fluid through the use of separate independent evaporators.
  • the working fluid passes from one evaporator to a first compressor and then to a cooling tank, for de-superheating the working fluid.
  • the working fluid from the second evaporator passes directly to a second compressor.
  • the working fluid from the output of the condenser passes to the cooling tank.
  • the cooling tank de-superheats the working fluid entering the cooling device and automatically adjusts the level control between the liquid/vapor phases therein, enabling the first and second compressors, which operate under control of a common prime mover, to operate at significant different temperature and pressure levels and to accommodate different mass flow rates of the working fluid.
  • the present invention solves the problems associated with prior art devices (mentioned above) as well as others by providing a single steam-generating unit heated through a plurality of independent heated surfaces for steam generation, such as independent heat exchange tubes, all in contact with a common water source or fluid stream.
  • the invention may have particular usefulness for providing steam to a fuel cell system and/or a fuel processor system which produces hydrogen rich gas for industrial purposes (including providing hydrogen rich gas to fuel cells).
  • the present invention provides a useful heat exchanger to recover energy from processes that have multiple points where energy is generated and needs to be removed or recovered, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the process and permitting an increased ability to do useful work.
  • the system provides the generation of steam in a single volume of fluid (or a single fluid stream) and generally results in improved heat transfer.
  • the present system requires less material, is easier to operate and control, is more efficient and reliable, and is safer for use in many processes where mixing may cause an accident.
  • the present invention comprises a steam generator having a plurality of energy sources for heating a common water inventory to generate steam.
  • the generator consists of a steam generating vessel with a feed water inlet and a steam outlet and a plurality of heat exchangers located in the steam generating vessel with each individual heat exchanger being supplied with heat energy from different fluid sources.
  • the present invention does not raise the potential energy of the fluid stream by performing work on it. Instead, the essence of the present invention focuses on transferring energy already present within the system to conserve energy and/or perform additional work upon the system, thereby making the entire system more efficient.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is an end view of the steam generator of the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the Fig. 1 steam generator taken along section A-A.
  • steam generator system 100 of the present invention uses a plurality of fluid streams 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 from a single system (preferably, a fuel processing system for production of hydrogen-rich gas) where the individual process streams 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 which are associated with distinct processes or operations within that system A, B, C, D.
  • the individual processes 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 also may preferably contain different fluids and operate at different temperatures.
  • the steam generator 100 controls the thermal conditions of processes B, C, D.
  • these processes B, C, D could be the various purification processes required to reform and purify hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen-rich gas (for example, desulfurization, selective oxidation, etc.) associated with primary process A (which could be a reforming process).
  • primary process A which could be a reforming process.
  • process stream 110 is associated with process A
  • stream 120 is linked with process B, stream 130 with process C, and stream 140 with process D.
  • Stream 145, exiting the generator 100 (as pictured in Figure 1), could also be supplied to a specific downstream process (not pictured).
  • processes A, B, C, D could be independent streams from separate manufacturing or production processes rather than all being connected in series (not shown in Fig. 1).
  • the streams exiting the generator 100 could be coupled to individual downstream processes. Any such independent streams would be individually incorporated into steam generator 100 through proper connections and manifolding.
  • Stream 150 which is shown in Fig. 1, would be an example of a such a separate, independent stream.
  • Stream 150 could be associated with some other process (not shown), or it could be a different stream following into or out from one or more of the processes A, B, C, D.
  • the generator system 100 has a recirculating steam-water system comprising a vessel 170, a steam separator 175, and appropriate downcomers and risers (not specifically shown in this schematic) connected to the other elements of the generator system 100.
  • control system 180 may also be added to control the flow of water within the system (see below). Water may be supplied to the recirculating system as needed via feed water line 104.
  • Water stream 105 exits vessel 170 and enters heat exchanger device 160.
  • water stream 105 may contain water or any other liquid capable of producing vaporous phases and/or steam.
  • the heat transfer from the individual heat exchange elements 165 (located within device 160) to the water stream 105 helps to regulate the thermal conditions of the processes B, C, D by controlling the temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 of each respective stream 120, 130, 140, 145.
  • generator 100 also controls the temperature T 5 of independent stream 155, along with any other independent streams which may be incorporated into the system.
  • generator 100 has the ability to control the temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 and/or T 5 .
  • the flow into heat exchanger 160 may be selectively controlled through the use of control system 180 and/or via engineering of the design, physical structure and/or materials of the generator 100.
  • this selective control over temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 and/or T 5 permits the overall steam generator system to also exert control over the downstream processes associated with each individual stream's temperature.
  • T 1 is associated with stream 120 (as it exits heat exchange element 165) and immediately feeds into process B; consequently, to the extent the reactions of process B vary with temperature, control of process B is achieved by controlling T 1 (using control system 180, judicious design parameters and/or all other equivalents known to those skilled in the art). Similar control may be exercised over the other processes in the series and/or over any downstream process associated with an independent stream (i.e., any downstream process fed by stream 155).
  • generator 100 is capable of selectively controlling the amount of steam it generates and/or the actual downstream processes B, C, D, etc. to which it is coupled.
  • FIG. 1 shows heat exchange device 160 being located outside of the vessel 170, it is possible to partially or fully enclose device 160 within the vessel without deviating from the principles of this invention. Likewise, those skilled in the art will be able to readily adapt the exact design of the device 160 and/or any/all heat exchange elements 165 in order to achieve the goals contemplated by this invention.
  • control system 180 may be a recirculation pump, a valve system or other device, although the need for any control system is dependent in part on the geometry of the system.
  • control system 180 may be a recirculation pump, a valve system or other device, although the need for any control system is dependent in part on the geometry of the system.
  • the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 should have adequate natural circulation flow because of the natural head that develops between the dense liquid in the downcomer and the low density of the two phase mixture in the riser sections within the recirculating steam-water systems of those configurations.
  • a steam stream 108 is generated.
  • Steam stream 108 re-enters the recirculating steam-water system via steam separator 175, thereby returning any water to vessel 170 while at the same time creating steam 109.
  • the amount of steam 109 generated by the generator 100 is also controlled. Additionally or alternatively, steam 109 generated may be diverted from the generator 100 to suit whatever is its intended use.
  • generator 100 must be properly manifolded to permit the flow patterns described herein.
  • each process stream 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 may contain a slightly different fluid composition in comparison to the other process streams, differing fluids in each stream are not required to achieve the purposes of this invention.
  • additional compositions could be injected before or after each stream comes into contact with heat exchange elements 165.
  • the heat transfer reactions contemplated by this invention do not necessarily require all heat to flow from the process streams 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 to the water stream 105. It is equally possible to design a system where heat from the water stream 105 or the steam stream 108 is absorbed by one or more of the process streams. Those skilled in the art will be able to manipulate the thermal properties of the fluids to maximize their respective intended uses.
  • Stream 150 would represent the exhaust flow from a fuel cell system, while process A is a reforming process and processes B, C, D are subsequent hydrogen or fuel purification processes (if needed, process A could instead represent a pre-reforming process such as desulfurization, while process B would be the actual reforming).
  • Steam 109 could be provided to the reforming process A, the fuel cell (not shown) or for other purposes.
  • Stream 110 would be a hydrocarbon-based fuel and stream 145 would be the final, hydrogen-rich gas product of the fuel processor system.
  • FIG. 2 a specific embodiment of the steam generator 100 is shown having multiple heat energy sources, generally designated H, which are used to generate steam from a common supply of a working fluid 12.
  • Working fluid 12 may be any fluid capable of generating steam or other useful and desired vapor phases, but for the indicated application it is most preferably water.
  • Working fluid 12 is contained in vessel 170.
  • the heat energy sources H are connected to sets of tube bundles or other heat transfer means 50, which are then inserted into steam generation vessel 170; notably, it will be understood that other heat transfer means may include straight tubes, plate-type heat exchange surfaces with a common boiling fluid stream, U-tubes, helically-shaped tubes, or other similar curved tube types.
  • Heat transfer means 50 may be inserted from both ends of the vessel 170, and baffles 16 form an internal chimney up across the heat transfer means 50.
  • the steam generator 100 also uses a separator 175, not shown in Fig. 2, such as a steam drum assembly, to separate the steam from the water in the re-circulating fluid.
  • This separator could be located within vessel 170 or on top of vessel exit 18 and, in the event a steam drum were employed, the separator 175 could have at least one curved arm primary separator.
  • Generator 100 also has an external downcomer (not specifically shown in Fig. 2) to return the feed water and re-circulating water to vessel inlet 17 to pass up over the heat transfer means 50.
  • the steam separator section and downcomer are not shown in Fig. 2 because these devices are well known ⁇ for example, external duct(s), internal recirculation path(s), and/or internal downcomer(s) could be used to provide a recirculation flow path.
  • baffles 16 form a chimney to direct the boiling fluid up through the steam generating heat transfer means 50.
  • the baffles 16 direct the newly formed steam and water mix toward exit 18. This two phase mixture then exits the generator 100 through outlet 18 and enters the separator 175.
  • the rotational flow permits steam to exit through a separator exit for use as needed, while the water from the separator 175 flows down the separator sides to be returned to inlet 17 by any known downcomer means.
  • the water provided to the inlet 17 may be re-circulated water from the separator 175 and/or newly introduced feed-water, the water entering the vessel should be introduced to the vessel 170 outside of the internal chimney area formed by baffles 16.
  • the type of steam separator used may vary with the application and may range from natural separation to more complex multistage separators or an external super-heater.
  • the shell 170 of the steam generator 100 is preferably designed to accept heat transfer means in the form of four separate tube bundles (as above, these bundles may be of any appropriate arrangement) in order to facilitate the fabrication and assembly of the generator.
  • Two sets of tube bundles 20, 22 are inserted from opposite ends of the steam generator 100.
  • One of the bundles, the top bundle 20, accommodates two independent heating flow streams.
  • One set on U-tubes 20b are inside the U-bend of the other/outer set of larger U-tubes 20a.
  • This judicious selection of tube bundle size and tube diameter/length permits use of two independent steam generating energy sources.
  • those skilled in the art will readily adapt the size and diameter of any U-tubes both to optimize the heat exchange qualities of the system and to allow the respective U-tubes to be easily incorporated into the generator 100.
  • the remaining heat exchange means take the form of tubes bundle 22 and the vertical inlet bundles 28, 30. Each bundle 22, 28, 30 uses one flow stream as the energy source and thus contains only one size tube.
  • the recycling of heat to produce steam may be used to the advantage of the entire system.
  • selective control of the flow rate and/or pressure of the water stream 105 flowing past heat transfer elements 165 in contact with process streams 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 will necessarily affect the temperatures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 and T 5 ).
  • the overall functioning of the processes B, C, D and/or any downstream processes connected to streams 145, 155 flowing out of the generator 100 are influenced or driven by heat energy, it is possible to control the overall performance of the system by varying the flow rate and/or pressure of the water/steam used in the present invention.
  • Such control may be achieved by valves, pumps, bypasses, or any other known means.
  • the steam generator may use multiple steam generators (with separators) and combine the steam flows, or go to a once-through-type steam generator where the steam or quality is increased as the liquid steam moves through one heat exchanger after another. Also, it may use an independent fluid to collect the energy into one steam source using five heat exchangers and then deliver this flow of steam to a steam generator heated by that one fluid.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
EP02255259A 2001-08-06 2002-07-26 Mehrstromenergiequelle für Dampferzeugersystem Withdrawn EP1283393A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/922,667 US6588379B2 (en) 2001-08-06 2001-08-06 Multi-stream energy source steam generator system
US922667 2001-08-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1283393A2 true EP1283393A2 (de) 2003-02-12
EP1283393A3 EP1283393A3 (de) 2003-11-26

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EP02255259A Withdrawn EP1283393A3 (de) 2001-08-06 2002-07-26 Mehrstromenergiequelle für Dampferzeugersystem

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US (1) US6588379B2 (de)
EP (1) EP1283393A3 (de)
JP (1) JP2003139301A (de)
CA (1) CA2396699A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2431580A1 (de) * 2010-09-17 2012-03-21 United Technologies Corporation Systeme und Verfahren zur Stromerzeugung aus mehreren Wärmequellen mittels angepassten Arbeitsflüssigkeiten

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10127830B4 (de) * 2001-06-08 2007-01-11 Siemens Ag Dampferzeuger
CA2430088A1 (en) 2003-05-23 2004-11-23 Acs Engineering Technologies Inc. Steam generation apparatus and method
US7841304B2 (en) * 2007-05-23 2010-11-30 Uop Llc Apparatus for steam heat recovery from multiple heat streams
EP2065641A3 (de) * 2007-11-28 2010-06-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren zum Betrieben eines Durchlaufdampferzeugers sowie Zwangdurchlaufdampferzeuger
US9140220B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2015-09-22 Lg Fuel Cell Systems Inc. Engine systems and methods of operating an engine
US8597841B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2013-12-03 Lg Fuel Cell Systems Inc. Method for generating a gas which may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell
US8668752B2 (en) * 2009-09-04 2014-03-11 Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (Us) Inc. Apparatus for generating a gas which may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell
US9083020B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2015-07-14 Lg Fuel Cell Systems Inc. Reducing gas generators and methods for generating reducing gas
US9874158B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2018-01-23 Lg Fuel Cell Systems, Inc Engine systems and methods of operating an engine
US9118048B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2015-08-25 Lg Fuel Cell Systems Inc. Engine systems and methods of operating an engine
US9178235B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2015-11-03 Lg Fuel Cell Systems, Inc. Reducing gas generators and methods for generating a reducing gas
JP5628067B2 (ja) * 2011-02-25 2014-11-19 株式会社荏原製作所 研磨パッドの温度調整機構を備えた研磨装置
US20120234263A1 (en) * 2011-03-18 2012-09-20 Uop Llc Processes and systems for generating steam from multiple hot process streams
US10584868B2 (en) * 2014-11-04 2020-03-10 Sharkninja Operating Llc Steam generator
US12512495B2 (en) * 2021-05-11 2025-12-30 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Fuel cell system
EP4722587A1 (de) * 2024-10-02 2026-04-08 ALFA LAVAL OLMI S.p.A. Spiralwärmetauscher

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2431580A1 (de) * 2010-09-17 2012-03-21 United Technologies Corporation Systeme und Verfahren zur Stromerzeugung aus mehreren Wärmequellen mittels angepassten Arbeitsflüssigkeiten

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2003139301A (ja) 2003-05-14
US20030024488A1 (en) 2003-02-06
EP1283393A3 (de) 2003-11-26
US6588379B2 (en) 2003-07-08
CA2396699A1 (en) 2003-02-06

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